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Motorists and commercial motorcyclists in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, are grappling with petrol prices as high as ₦1,700 per litre, following the sudden shutdown of filling stations by marketers who embarked on a three-day warning strike.
Desperate residents were seen flocking to black market operators who sold petrol for between N1,600 and N1,700, depending on the area.
The strike, which began on Tuesday, was called in solidarity with the Petrol Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
A member of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), who spoke on condition of anonymity with Vanguard, confirmed that the decision to close stations was unanimous among members.
He said, “Since then, the matter has been on the ground, and when this new administration came on board, NUPENG and IPMAN approached the government, but they were rebuffed.
“So, the leadership of the two unions decided that we go on a three-day warning strike and wait for further actions. All fuel station managers were directed to shut down their outlets. Anyone caught selling products would be fined N500,000. That’s why none of us is dispensing products.”
The issue reportedly stems from an incident years ago when youths attacked a petrol-laden truck along the Makurdi-Aliade road, siphoning its contents.
According to the marketer, the previous government had promised compensation to the truck owners and the company for the loss, but failed to fulfil it before leaving office.
Reacting to the development, the Benue State Chairman of NUPENG, Terfa Iorhule, claimed he was unaware of the strike.
“I only heard of the strike but I have not confirmed it yet,” Iorhule said from Lagos.
The post Petrol Sells For ₦1,700 In Makurdi As Marketers Begin Three-Day Warning Strike appeared first on Naija News.
